Help before profit, bishop says

In today's fast-moving world, individuals were more concerned with how they were going to profit rather helping people in need, Gozo Bishop Mario Grech said.

During the pontifical midnight Mass at the Gozo Cathedral, Mgr Grech drew parallels between these people and those at the inns in Betlehem who had turned their back on Joseph and Mary when they were looking for a comfortable place for Jesus to be born.

He said "exaggerated activities" were not only tiring people but also alienating them from those who needed their help, possibly even members of their own family.

He compared the shepherds to the poor, who he said were on the increase. There were people and families who were finding it difficult to make ends meet, even in the most basic necessities.

"Christmas, which is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, gives hope to those people going through a rough patch to see the light," he said.

He said Christians had to learn how to live as a minority in difficult circumstances and not to give up even when the Church itself faced difficult situations.